GM willing to take a chance

Williams, who had many opportunities, gives others 2nd try

ANAHEIM — White Sox general manager Ken Williams admits he has a weakness for players he believes deserve a second chance.

In an expansive interview with reporters before Friday night's Game 3 of the American League Championship Series, Williams said he's willing to take a longer look at talented players who might have troubled pasts.

"I'm probably a little soft in that area where a guy that truly recognizes the mistakes he has made and is willing to try to buy in to what we're trying to do," Williams said. "I do it with the manager and coaches who will not let the situation get out of hand. They know I have their back too."

Williams said his patience stems from getting several opportunities in his life.

"I was the beneficiary many times of somebody giving me a shot, a second chance or a third chance at something," Williams said.Williams, 41, who grew up in the Bay Area, was quick to respond to a suggestion the Sox were like maverick owner Al Davis' Oakland Raiders.

"I grew up a Raiders fan," Williams smiled. "I've seen it work. We're not as bad as that."

Williams said a huge reason the Sox are able to bring in different personalities is the strong leadership of manager Ozzie Guillen and his staff.

"You can bring a Bobby Jenks or A.J. Pierzynski, and the support system already is in place."

Hurt healing

Tests taken Thursday on disabled slugger Frank Thomas' left ankle revealed the fractured bone is healing, although Thomas's foot remains in a cast for added protection.

"[Dr. Richard Ferkel] said it looks so good that why not play it safe because of all this celebration and jumping around, anything can happen," Thomas said while talking to former Sox infielder Craig Grebeck.

The 6-foot-5-inch Thomas said he has been able to keep his weight at a manageable level despite the inactivity, thanks to a rigid diet.

"That's what I have to do," Thomas said.

Thomas said he believes his foot will be placed in a walking cast in two weeks and that contract negotiations could resume after the World Series.

The Sox have a $10 million option they are likely to bypass in favor of a $3.5 million buyout. Williams was in no mood to discuss Thomas' contract status.

"He's on the disabled list," Williams snapped to a reporter. "I'm involved in what's going on here. That's not something I need to answer."

Happy birthday

Sox Game 4 starter Freddy Garcia said he watched Game 2 of the ALCS with wife Glendys after she gave birth to the couple's first child, a daughter.

"There was a lot of stuff for me," said Garcia, who was in the delivery room. "I never had seen that before, and that was a really good experience."

It's over

In his pregame media briefing Friday, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said The Call by home-plate umpire Doug Eddings that helped decide Game 2 was long forgotten.

"Our guys have moved on," he said. "I feel the same way. You can't hang your hat on one call to say you won or lost. We just didn't play on a high enough level to get it done and that's the bottom line."

Rested up

Thursday was a complete day off for the Angels, who have been battered with travel. Not even Scioscia came to Angel Stadium.

"It was well-needed and well-deserved for our guys," he said. "The fact of just not coming in and putting on a uniform, of being able to relax and clear your mind after the whirlwind four days was needed."

Containment policy

The Sox did a good job containing Vladimir Guerrero through the series' first two games. The 2004 American League MVP was 0-for-8.

Guerrero was 1-for-4, including a double-play grounder and a lineout to right for the final out in Game 3.

Guillen considers Guerrero a close friend from the time they spent together in Montreal, where Guillen was a coach on manager Jeff Torborg's staff and often served as an interpreter for the reticent right fielder.

"Our pitchers have done a tremendous job making good pitches to him," Guillen said. "But Vlady, he's the type of guy who can break out, hit three home runs and drive in a bunch of runs at any time."

For all his talent, Guerrero has had a hard time getting the hang of postseason baseball. He batted .167 in the Angels' three-game loss to Boston in last year's division series and was hitting .233 with one RBI in eight playoff games.

His frustration showed in Game 2, when Mark Buehrle retired him four times on just six pitches, though one was a rocket shot to the wall in left-center field.